HARARE —
The Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) faction led by Morgan Tsvangirai has expelled secretary general Tendai Biti and his Democratic Renewal Campaign team that suspended Tsvangirai on Saturday saying the party leader has failed to deliver.

Tsvangirai told journalists in Harare today that the party’s National Council, which is the top decision-making body outside congress, also suspended all Members of Parliament who attended the Saturday meeting where his suspension was announced.

Tsvangirai said his party will be writing to the Speaker of Parliament withdrawing the affected legislators to pave way for fresh polls.

The National Council, further mandated the MDC leadership led by Tsvangirai and comprising Thokozani Khupe, Lovemore Moyo, Senator Morgan Komichi, Tapiwa Mashakada, Nelson Chamisa, Abedinico Bhebhe, Mwonzora and Theresa Makone to take all the necessary steps aimed at defending and protecting the good name and interests of our party.

Tsvangirai told journalists that by holding the Saturday meeting, that he described as "bogus, illegitimate and illegal", Biti had literally formed his own party and expelled himself from the MDC-T.

GOOD LUCK

All that was left, said the former premier, was to wish the former finance minister well in his political endeavors.

Tsvangirai said he felt that Biti had betrayed the majority of Zimbabweans by his weekend move, adding the current political storm in his party had been brewing for a longtime.

He repeated his assertions that President Robert Mugabe had a hand in his fallout with Biti's faction.

The former trade unionist also said his party will hold its congress in October this year.

Reached by phone for comment, spokesperson of those calling for leadership change in the MDC-T, Jacob Mafume, said the National Council meeting held at Harvest House was "a caucus of suspended politicians", adding his group will not recognize any of the resolutions passed in that meeting.

MWONZORA DETAINED

Meanwhile, MDC-T spokesman Douglas Mwonzora was on Tuesday briefly detained at the Harare Central Police Station for allegedly assaulting a Biti supporter at the party’s Harvest House headquarters in Harare on Saturday.

Mwonzora’s lawyer, Dumisani Kufaruwenga said they spent almost the whole day at the police station over the assault allegation.

The conflict pitting the two factions in the MDC-T has now spilled to Manicaland, Mashonaland West and Masvingo. In Mutare, police had to intervene as members tussled for party property.

In Mashonaland West, some members aligned to party leader Tsvangirai have confiscated property that includes a vehicle, motor bikes and computers from the party’s administrator, who is believed to back the Biti faction.